Surface Modification of Titanium Dental Implants: A Review

Ujjwal Rimal,S Joshi,P Shrestha

doi:10.3126/jnprossoc.v1i1.23849

Abstract

Osseointegration of titanium dental implants is the most important clinical parameter for an implant to be successful. One of most biocompatible material, titanium can be made to affix fast on to host bone via various modification of its surface. Machined and smooth titanium implant osseointegrate into living bone tissue but with a roughened surface, this is much more predictable as well as promising clinically. Surface modification allows for an increase in the surface area on to which the osteoblasts easily start laying bone. So, there have been various methods to roughen the surface of titanium implants. The article describes various methods used for modifying the surfaces of dental implants, giving a note on their clinical efficacy as well as advantages and disadvantages of these methods.

Highlights

Geometry and surface topography are crucial for the short and long-term success of dental implants.[1]
There are studies that show the surface roughness of dental implants affects the rate of osseointegration and biomechanical fixation.[5,6]
A study by Brett PM et al that was first of its kind showed that gene expression of osteoblast cells was increased with increase in surface roughness; thereby renaming these genes as roughness genes.[7]

Summary

Introduction

Geometry and surface topography are crucial for the short and long-term success of dental implants.[1] Direct bone apposition onto the surface is enhanced with surface treatments of dental implants. Surface treatment is used to modify the surface topography and surface energy, resulting in an improved wettability[2,3], increased cell proliferation and growth[2] and accelerated osseointegration process[4]. There are studies that show the surface roughness of dental implants affects the rate of osseointegration and biomechanical fixation.[5,6] A study by Brett PM et al that was first of its kind showed that gene expression of osteoblast cells was increased with increase in surface roughness; thereby renaming these genes as roughness genes.[7] Surface roughness can be divided into three levels depending on the scale of features: macro-, micro- and nano-sized topologies.[1]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion